A battlefield and a winery near Springfield

We were spending two nights in Springfield, Missouri so that we could take a day off from driving long distances.

A few miles south west of Springfield is a Civil War battlefield called Wilson's Creek. The visitor's center has a good electric light map of the battlefield that demonstrates how the battle unfolded.

These fences reminded us of fences on battlefields further east but these are higher. 

Stone spring house down the hill from the Ray house which was the water source for the family that lived there.

We wondered if using wood in fences like this was a good way of seasoning the wood for burning in winter.

The Ray House. Read the description below.

The view over the battlefield from the front porch of the house. While the family hid in the cellar, John Ray sat outside on the porch and watched the proceedings.

This path on the other side of the fence was once the highway to the west. Locally it was known as the Wire Road.

Bedroom inside the house. The Union General Lyon was killed during the battle and after it was over, his body was brought to the house and laid on this bed. 

The spinning wheel is original to the house.

Old map of Missouri.

The suspension for the beds. This rope style is the origin for the phrase 'sleep tight'.

The house also served as the local post office.

The family hid in the cellar during the battle and this trapdoor was the way down.

The Park Volunteer who told us all about it.

The woods in the area are quite dense with deep shade.

The Wire Road continued on through the battlefield.

So much foliage now blocks the view of the battlefield in many significant places.

Sharp Cornfield.

Bloody Hill where the worst of the fighting occurred.

It was interesting to visit the battlefield but I felt that too many of the sights were obscured by trees. Oddly, there is only one monument on the site, a sharp contrast to the seemingly thousands at Gettysburg.

Although I have no interest in fishing or hunting, we decided to visit the gigantic Bass Pro shop on the recommendation of our host.

This is not your average sports store. Inside it is huge.

Fish tank.

Fish pond.

Even a live alligator.

The bear is not alive. It's probably just as well since it is about seven feet tall.

The roof is decorated as if you are looking up to the surface of a pond.

We drove around down town Springfield. There is a street of impressive houses on the east side, but it does not compare to Oak Park in Chicago. However we liked the look of this Shriner building.

We took Route 66 back to our bnb. Springfield is recognized as the birth place of the route.

Hay-bale on the back of a truck. They really are big.

The road to the bnb from route 66 had some dips which I enjoyed roaring up and down in the Mini.

Later that day, our bnb host took us to a winery in the area.

Our bnb host was talking to us about the difficulty he was having in getting an area for his VW club to have a meeting where they displayed their cars. We pointed out that this field by he winery would be ideal.

So Bob discussed the idea with the owner.

We tried a few wines and bought a couple of bottles. They don't grow grapes there but get the juice from elsewhere.

Our Mini is still rolling along fine. It has been a great car to drive on the trip. It rained later in the day and the car got a good wash.

The bnb meow bag. The owners also have about 6 long haired chihuahuas which were very friendly. Since the bnb was several miles from Springfield, our hosts cooked evening meals for us so we had some long conversations with them. Staying at bnb's is so much better than motels. We drank one of the bottles of wine.